Australia reassures Asian allies as US trade wars heat
Foreign Minister Penny Wong departed for Malaysia on Wednesday and will make a keynote speech on Thursday outlining Australia's dependability, especially in championing free and open trade.
One Southeast Asia expert warned the region could be among the hardest hit from US President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Peter Drysdale said Australia needed to work with ASEAN members to contain the economic fallout of a trade war, which could wipe more than 11 per cent of GDP from Southeast Asian economies.
"The Southeast Asian economies will be among the most severely hit by Trump's tariffs," he told AAP.
"Australia's overriding goal is to work with ASEAN to prevent protectionist contagion and its effects on our regional partnerships, including with China.
"This year will be of strategic importance in shaping the ASEAN and regional response to Trump's trade war and managing the impact of the US-China geopolitical conflict on economic and political stability."
Australia is a dialogue partner to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a grouping of 10 countries that promotes economic and security co-operation.
Senator Wong will attend the ASEAN-Australia foreign ministers' meeting, East Asia Summit foreign ministers' meeting and ASEAN regional forum.
It will mark US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first visit to the Indo-Pacific region and comes as President Donald Trump hit ASEAN members with tariffs.
Australia is working to strengthen relationships in Southeast Asia as it looks to grasp opportunities in a region experiencing rapid economic growth.
"ASEAN makes a critical contribution to our aspirations for our region," Senator Wong said in a pre-departure statement on Wednesday.
"It is central to regional stability, guards against conflict and reinforces the rules and norms that protect us all."
Senator Wong said Australia was committed to working with ASEAN on conflict prevention and international law, a point she would make at the East Asia Summit meeting.
Myanmar has been a thorny issue for the bloc since a military junta took control of the country in a 2021 coup and created a massive humanitarian crisis in the region.
The junta has received widespread condemnation for atrocities and human rights violations.
Australia has joined the international community in applying sanctions against the regime.
Senator Wong's trip comes just ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travelling to China on Saturday alongside an Australian business delegation in a bid to strengthen economic ties with Australia's largest trading partner.
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News.com.au
9 minutes ago
- News.com.au
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News.com.au
9 minutes ago
- News.com.au
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9 News
15 minutes ago
- 9 News
Push for major changes to AUKUS in US: report
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